Watermelon ice vapes, minty menthol cigarettes and very berry nicotine pouches are hooking a new generation of Denver kids. These kid-friendly products aren’t harmless: they’re how Big Tobacco addicts lifelong customers.
For decades, Big Tobacco has misled the public, covered up the dangers of smoking and targeted young people with manipulative marketing.
Now it's happening again. Only this time, it's with flavored e-cigarettes and other tobacco products. Cotton candy. Bubble gum. Sugar cookie.
Flavored tobacco poses a serious threat to the health of Denver’s kids. Vaping devices can deliver massive doses of addictive nicotine and toxic chemicals like formaldehyde and lead. Over 40% of high-school e-cigarette users are frequent or daily users. This means they aren’t just experimenting with flavored tobacco products. They’re addicted.
Many don’t even realize that nicotine harms brain development, attention, impulse control and mood. The U.S. Surgeon General has concluded that youth use of nicotine in any form, including e-cigarettes, is unsafe.
Big Tobacco is marketing flavored tobacco directly to kids. From the gimmicks (gaming! vape highlighters!) to the packaging (glossy!) to the smells (grape!) to the flavors (citrus burst!), the products are addicting new generations to a lifetime of tobacco use.
Cigarette smoking is the leading cause of preventable death in the United States, killing more people than alcohol, AIDS, car accidents, illegal drugs, murders, and suicides combined. Smoking kills more than 5,100 Colorodans each year. Vote Yes to save lives and keep flavored tobacco away from Denver’s kids.
Big Tobacco is spending huge money to protect their corporate profits and overturn a law passed by the city council and signed by the mayor that protects Denver kids. Vote Yes to keep the ban on flavored tobacco sales in our community.
The new nicotine product replacing e-cigarettes to addict teens
The Washington Post
Just How Harmful Is Vaping? More Evidence Is Emerging.
The New York Times
‘Denver Kids vs. Big Tobacco’ campaign wants to protect the city’s ban on flavored tobacco
Denverite
Denver voters to decide on flavored tobacco product ban
CBS Colorado News
